SL styling change in 80's

[Cap'n Carageous]

When did the SL body style change from the extended bumpers back to the 'closer to the body' style?

[suginami]

They had the original euro bumpers in 72 and 73. '74 and later all had the "park bench" style bumpers.

I wasn't aware that they aware went back to the cleaner look.

I could be wrong, though, and I'm not really an SL expert.

I just spent the night in a Holiday Inn Express.

[rickjordan]

The "park bench" bumpers disappeared when production of the R107 series finished in 1989. When the R129 came out in 1990 it had plastic color keyed bumpers.

[Cap'n Carageous]

I was thinking that the latter eighties bumpers were not as pronounced as the earlier 80's and 70's. Maybe it's just the angle of the photos I've been looking at. I really want one of these but that park bench turns me off. It reminds me of the old MG's. The bumpers made them twice as long.

[suginami]

The bumpers have never bothered me. I mean, 11 of the 13 years of the W107 run had the larger bumpers, so it's the only look that people are familiar with.

Plus, you could always buy one and fit the euro bumpers on the car.

[Cap'n Carageous]

Originally posted by suginami

Plus, you could always buy one and fit the euro bumpers on the car.

What do they look like? Maybe that's the picture I have in my mind.

[Limited Edition]

I just spent the night in a Holiday Inn Express.

LOL :p

Regards,

Don

[ericdee]

Here are some shots of the euro bumpers.

[Cap'n Carageous]

YEAH BAAAAY BEEEEE!!

That what I'M talk'in bout!!!

There was one on ebay not long ago but it's gone now. Anybody got one for sale???

[rickjordan]

I actually like the 4 round headlight look. I mean, everything else about the car is all curves, but then it has rectangular headlights. I think the round headlights help add to the "classic" look of the car. Now granted the bumpers could be shortened up a bit.

Euro bumpers look fantastic, but offer virtually no protection to the ends of the car in parallel parking situations.

[Blitzen Bob]

Here, in it's entirety, is the history of the W107 chassis:



Changes to U.S. Mercedes W107 Roadster from '72-'89


1971
V-8-powered 350SL 4.5 (body style "W107" in Mercedes-Benz nomenclature) introduced to U.S. as a 1972 model. Though introduced in Europe with a 3.5-liter engine, the W107 always carried a less efficient but detoxed 230-bhp, 4.5-liter, Iron-block V-8 here, coupled with a 3-speed automatic. Power-assisted steering, air conditioning, hard and soft-tops were standard.

1973
Name changed in American market to 450SL.

1974
Addition of 5-mph bumper. Horsepower declined to 190 bhp. California version acquired EGR and fuel injection.

1975
Addition of catalytic converters. Horsepower declined to 180 bhp.

1976
Addition of cruise control, transistorized ignition, hydraulic valve adjusters; switch from Bosch electronic to Bosch Jetronic fuel injection.

1977
Catalytic converters moved downstream. Climate-control system (Type 1) introduced.

1980
3-way catalytic converter introduced, final drive ratio reduced. Horsepower declined to 160 bhp, but fuel economy increased.

1981
380SL with 3.8 liter, 155 bhp, all-alloy V-8 (which had a single-row timing chain) and 4-speed automatic transmission introduced to U.S. market. Electric window lifts are standard.

1982
Changed to auto climate control to Type II.

1983
Recalibrated engine and transmission for improved performance and fuel economy.

1984
Switch from single-row to twin-row timing chain.

1985
ABS became standard; driver-side airbag was optional.

1986
560SL with 5.6-litter, 227-bhp all-alloy V-8 and 4-speed transmission into U.S. market. Limited-slip differential, front air dam, leather upholstery, anti-theft alarm are standard.

1989
W107 production ended.
____________________________________________________

Hope this helps.
Blitzen

The pictures Eric posted were true European bumpers - US delivered '72-73 SL's had overriders standard (though they were also referred to as "Euro" bumpers).

Photos of those include my car at
http://www.carcentric.com/Ludwig.htm

M D "Doc" Nugent
Renton, WA

[jkazzoun]

I think the larger integrated air dam on the 560SL's just make the bumper look smaller.

[domchang]

had my 1987 560SL parked next to a 450SL the other day while at the mechanic's....the front bumper on the 450SL was definitely more extended than the 560SL....should have taken a pic.

course, it could be my bumper shock absorbers are collapsed inwards! no idea on how to check that.

hth

dom